Subscription Lists
Refreshment in Refuge
by Gina Burgess
Isaiah 1:18 Come now and let us reason together, says Jehovah: Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as the crimson, they shall be like wool.
Isaiah 58:2 Yet they seek Me day by day, and desire knowledge of My ways. As a nation that has done right, and not forsaking the judgment of their God, they ask Me about judgments of righteousness; they desire to draw near to God.
Isaiah 58:3 They say, Why have we fasted, and You did not see? We have afflicted our soul, and You did not acknowledge. Behold, on the day of your fast you find pleasure; and you drive all your laborers hard.
Isaiah 58:4 Look! You fast for strife, and for debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. Do not fast as today, to sound your voice in the high place.
God is adamant that His way is the only way to Heaven. His promise is that our sins are covered with the blood of Christ. His promise stretches across the bands of time from the beginning to the end of time. There is no other way.
Matthew Henry points out, “As justice and charity will never atone for atheism and profaneness, so prayers and sacrifices will never atone for fraud and oppression; for righteousness towards men is as much a branch of pure religion as religion towards God is a branch of universal righteousness.”
Compare what Daniel saw and what John saw:
Daniel 7:9 I was looking until the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days sat, whose robe was white as snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was like flames of fire, its wheels like burning fire.
Mark 9:1 Then he drove it home by saying, "This isn't pie in the sky by and by. Some of you who are standing here are going to see it happen, see the kingdom of God arrive in full force." 2 Six days later, three of them did see it. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. 3 His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them.
Revelation 1:14 And the hairs of His head were white as white wool, as snow, and His eyes as a flame of fire;
God is consistent through time. Only man is very inconsistent. Check out the book of Judges. Acting right and acting out occur over and over with God’s judgment and mercy occurring over and over. Things go right for Israel while they follow righteous ways, then go sour when they turn their face to idols after the godly judge goes to be with his Maker.
Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit's indwelling to help us rather than an earthly judge or an earthly king. We are guided and persuaded by God living inside our hearts. That state of being could never have happened unless Jesus willingly gave Himself up to pay for our sins.
Luke 24:23 But they did not find his body there. They came and told us they had seen some angels in a vision. The angels told them Jesus was alive!
Rate it:
Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.
She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.
If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Refreshment in Refuge" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.